Child support strap

Abstract

A child restraining system for a vehicle the system comprising: at least one web ( 60 ), suitable for attachment to a harness comprising a shoulder strap ( 14 ); wherein in use the one or more webs ( 60 ) covers an area substantially below the scapula and the same or a different web covers at least part of the side of the abdomen; thereby limiting the ability of a child to slide an arm or a shoulder out from under the strap ( 14 ).

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A child restraining system for a vehicle the system comprising:
 a child seat including;
 a backrest; 
 a seat; and 
 a restraining harness having a midriff strap arranged to traverse the waist of the child and a first shoulder strap having a length extending from the midriff strap over a shoulder of the child to a connection to said seat; 
 
 at least one web, having a shoulder strap attachment at a first end configured to be adjustably engaged to said first shoulder strap and a second distal end connected to a portion of the child seat, said web having a top edge extending between said first end and said second end; 
 wherein the at least one web is sized and shaped from the first end to the second end to cover an area between the shoulder strap and the child seat and between the armpit or scapula and at least part of the side of the abdomen of the child restrained within the child seat sufficient to limit the ability of a child to slide an arm or a shoulder out from between the shoulder strap and said web, 
 wherein said web is sized and configured to define a space between said top edge and said connection to said seat of said first shoulder strap, said space extending along a first portion of said length of said first shoulder strap of 10-25 cm, and 
 wherein said web is further sized and configured to extend along the majority of said length of said first shoulder strap from said top edge toward said midriff strap. 
 
     
     
       2. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein said shoulder strap attachment is configured to adjustably engage said first shoulder strap along the length of said shoulder strap and is sized to engage a portion of the length of said first shoulder strap sufficient to maintain said area at a position sufficient to limit the ability of a child to slide an arm or a shoulder out from between the shoulder strap and said web. 
     
     
       3. The system according to  claim 1 , wherein the harness includes two shoulder straps, one for each shoulder, each shoulder strap including a corresponding one of said at least one web extending between the shoulder strap and a fixing in the seat. 
     
     
       4. The system according to  claim 3  wherein the fixing to the seat is adjustable. 
     
     
       5. The system according to  claim 1  where the harness is a 5 point harness. 
     
     
       6. The system according to  claim 1  wherein the web is flared between the first end and the second end. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1  wherein the web is releasably attached to one of the shoulder strap and the seat by one or more of hook and loop fasteners, zip fasteners, buttons, snap fasteners. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 1  wherein the web comprises a breathable material. 
     
     
       9. The system according to  claim 1  wherein said second end of the web is connected to one of the backrest and the seat portion of the child seat. 
     
     
       10. The system according to  claim 1  wherein:
 the restraining harness includes a second shoulder strap; and 
 at least one second web having a first end extending from said second shoulder strap of the harness and a second distal end connected to a portion of the child seat. 
 
     
     
       11. The system according to  claim 10  wherein the at least one web and the at least one second web do not extend between the first and second shoulder straps of the harness. 
     
     
       12. The system according to  claim 1  wherein said web includes a plurality of web elements, each having a first end extending from the first shoulder strap of the harness and a second distal end connected to a portion of the child seat. 
     
     
       13. A web for use with a restraining harness having a midriff strap arranged to traverse the waist of the child and a first shoulder strap having a length extending from the midriff strap over a shoulder of the child to a connection to said seat, said web comprising:
 a shoulder strap attachment at a first end configured to be adjustably engaged to a shoulder strap of a harness of a child restraining seat and a second distal end configured for connection to a portion of the child seat; and 
 a top edge extending between said first end and said second end, 
 wherein the web is sized and shaped from the first end to the second end to cover an area between the shoulder strap and the child seat and to cover an area of a child's body substantially below the armpit or scapula and at least part of the side of the abdomen of the child restrained within the restraining seat to thereby limit the ability of the child to slide an arm or a shoulder out from between the shoulder strap and said web, 
 wherein said web is sized and configured to define a space between said top edge and the connection to the seat of the first shoulder strap, said space extending along a first portion of the length of the first shoulder strap of 10-25 cm, and 
 wherein said web is further sized and configured to extend along the majority of the length of the first shoulder strap from said top edge toward the midriff strap. 
 
     
     
       14. The web according to  claim 13  wherein the web is configured to be movable along a length of the strap and/or relative to the seat fixing.